marine food web
Credit: Guido and Carrara family/Flickr
Seagrasses aren’t the solution to ocean plastic pollution
Recent findings debunk the optimistic view that Mediterranean seagrasses can effectively combat marine plastic pollution, revealing more harm than help.
In short:
- A 2021 study showed seagrasses trapping and removing plastic from the ocean, offering a hopeful solution.
- A new meta-analysis reveals that plastic pollution harms seagrasses, reducing their growth and disrupting ecosystems.
- Experts warn that seagrasses’ ability to trap plastic may cause more harm, as animals ingest the trapped plastic.
Key quote:
“I definitely don’t want people to move in the direction of saying, ‘We have seagrass beds and they’re trapping microplastics so that’s resolving the problem.’ That’s not resolving the problem—it’s just moving and concentrating it in a different location.”
— Alyssa Novak, coastal ecologist at Boston University
Why this matters:
Seagrass, often overlooked in the grand tapestry of marine ecosystems, plays a vital role in maintaining the health of our oceans. It serves as a nursery for fish, a filter for pollutants, and a powerful carbon sink. In the fight against microplastics, the story of seagrass is a stark reminder that the small things we often overlook can have a massive impact. Read more: Plastic pollution in the ocean.
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Credit: Jeff Hester / Ocean Image Bank
Most marine protected areas fail to offer true protection
A new study reveals that the majority of the world's largest marine protected areas (MPAs) fail to implement effective conservation measures, allowing destructive activities to persist.
In short:
- Only one-third of the world's largest MPAs have high or full protection, covering just 2.6% of the global ocean.
- Many MPAs are "paper parks," existing in name only without any real conservation measures in place.
- Some MPAs permit activities like mining and industrial fishing, undermining their conservation goals.
Key quote:
“There are 18,000 MPAs, but a hundred of them make up 90 percent of the area. These are the big needle movers.”
— Beth Pike, director of the Marine Protection Atlas
Why this matters:
Effective marine protection is vital to meeting international conservation targets and preserving marine biodiversity. The failure to implement meaningful protections jeopardizes global efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change and human exploitation on our oceans. Read more: Can marine protected areas reduce marine disease?
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Newsletter
Credit: State Farm/Flickr
Hawaii faces an unprecedented challenge as wildfire impacts coral reefs
In the wake of the Lahaina wildfire, scientists and locals grapple with the potential toxic runoff into Maui's coral ecosystems. Audrey McAvoy reports for the Associated Press.
In short:
- The Maui wildfire presents a unique opportunity to study the effects of urban fire runoff on coral reefs, including toxics from burned materials.
- Local residents, deeply connected to the sea for food and recreation, express concerns over the safety of ocean waters and marine life.
- Initiatives are underway for water quality monitoring and environmental protection, emphasizing the need for patience and further research.
Key quote:
“I know a lot of people keep asking, ‘Is the water safe? Can we go out? Is it safe to fish and eat the fish?' We just want to reinforce the message that we know it’s frustrating, but if people can be patient. We’ve never encountered anything like this.”
— Russell Sparks, Maui aquatic biologist at the state Department of Land and Natural Resources
Why this matters:
The Lahaina wildfire and its toxic aftermath presents another scenario of the far-reaching threats that climate change imposes on communities, ecosystems, and public health policies. Chemical fallout, contaminated runoff and ecosystem threats can come from any number of sources.
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Credit: WorldFish/Flickr
The race to build climate-resilient coral reefs
These innovations are speeding up the recovery of bleached corals.
Credit: Sören Funk on Unsplash
Spain investigates contamination of Atlantic shore by countless plastic pellets spilled from ship
Countless tiny plastic pellets are washing up on the shores of northern Spain and local authorities have declared an environmental emergency after a shipping container fell off a transport vessel last month.
Is ocean iron fertilization back from the dead as a CO₂ removal tool?
After a hiatus of more than 10 years, a new round of research into ocean iron fertilization is set to begin, with scientists saying the controversial geoengineering approach has the potential to remove “gigatons per year” of carbon dioxide from Earth’s atmosphere.
Are manatees trying to tell us something about the Chesapeake Bay?
When a Florida manatee swims into the Chesapeake Bay, it makes waves.
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